Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, has described the ongoing move by Nasir El-Rufai, and other politicians to form a coalition of political parties as a project destined to fail.
Speaking to journalists in Kaduna on Friday after leading members of the APC National Working Committee on a Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Ganduje said the opposition’s proposed merger—championed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—lacks cohesion and direction.
“We’re not losing sleep over this. These are elements that don’t blend. It’s like trying to mix oil and water. They’ve attempted such an alliance before, and it didn’t work. This one won’t either. We have our strategy, and we know how to counter them. We’re fully prepared,” Ganduje said.
The APC leader used the opportunity to highlight his party’s strength, noting that it currently controls 21 states across the country and remains, in his words, “the strongest political party in West Africa.
“We’re not just maintaining our stronghold—we’re growing. We’re targeting more states, and whether through defection or elections, we’ll increase our numbers. We’re not complacent,” he said.
Ganduje’s remarks come in the wake of Atiku Abubakar’s recent visit to former President Buhari, where he was accompanied by prominent political allies including former governors Nasir el-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, Gabriel Suswam, Jibrilla Bindow, and Achike Udenwa.
Although the meeting stirred speculation about a political alliance in the making, Atiku insisted the visit was purely a Sallah courtesy call.
“There is a plan for the major opposition parties to unite, yes—but that was not the purpose of our visit to the former president,” Atiku, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), told reporters.
Meanwhile, speaking when he led a delegation of the National Working Committee of the party on a courtesy visit to the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Ganduje said that APC is quite ready for the challenge of 2027 general elections.
Ganduje stated that the purpose of the visit was to show respect and appreciation to Buhari as their leader and mentor.
He also informed Buhari about the progress the party has made since he assumed office nearly a year ago, focusing on internal cohesion and grassroots mobilisation.
In his response, Muhammadu Buhari, former president, expressed approval of the update, commending Ganduje and the NWC for working in unity. “I’m very pleased with what I’ve heard today. I commend the chairman and members of the NWC for synergizing and working in unity,” Buhari said.
He urged the party leadership to maintain engagement with stakeholders across the country and reiterated his commitment to the APC’s growth and success.
Interestingly, the visit occurred shortly after Buhari met with a separate delegation led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The group included former governors Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, Gabriel Suswam, Achike Udenwa, Jibrilla Bindow, and former Minister Isa Ali Pantami.
